Why Am I Always Tailgated by These Specific Drivers?

iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 12:58
Last edited 29/09/2022 - 12:59

When I am driving around town in my OzBargain approved Toyota, I always seem to be tailgated by these specific drivers listed below.

Jeep Grand Cherokee & BMW any x series.

I note, I always keep left unless overtaking on any roads. I always stick to my speed limit as well.

I encounter this behaviour from these specific drivers quite a lot!

Any other drivers out there, experience this from those Jeep or BMW drivers listed above? (Not saying they all do it)

Or are you specifically tailgated by certain model vehicles?
Interested to know:)

Automotive

Comments

  • blade1981 on 29/09/2022 - 13:01
    +58

    You aren't always tailgated by specific vehicles, you just notice them more because they are larger. A Camry sitting 5m behind you will seem to be further away than a Landcruiser 5m behind you, which will seem further away than a Mac Truck. It's perspective.

    • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 13:14

      Could well be perspective. Guess I have just always noticed a Jeep up my ass to the point where it’s fairly dangerous.
      Do not notice Landcruisers up my ass as much as the Jeeps/BMWs.

      • Euphemistic on 29/09/2022 - 17:29
        +22

        You also will notice them more because you notice them more.

        If you started looking for a particular car You are interested in buying you’ll see more of them. Doesn’t mean there are more there, just that your brain doesn’t block them out along with the others that are just doing normal things.

        • Rupture on 01/10/2022 - 14:58
          +2

          Otherwise known as cognitive bias!

          • sharetrader on 02/10/2022 - 07:19
            +3

            @Rupture: Or more specifically known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon or frequency illusion/recency illusion/selective attention bias.

            There may be a little confirmation bias thrown in.

      • solidussnake on 30/09/2022 - 16:37
        +7

        Drive around in Logan - Brisbane every crackhead is basically up your ass haha

      • ATangk on 03/10/2022 - 17:48

        Do land cruisers seem that popular around your area? They're more for certain demographics which are away from the city, as those who drive near the cities are more conscious of how fuel guzzling these types of cars are.

    • GandalfTheCheap on 01/10/2022 - 11:37
      +9

      This is probably the right answer.

      But… surely there's also a strong correlation between people thoughtless enough to buy cars that combine a laughably inflated price with awful quality/reliability, and people thoughtless enough to drive in a way that's both annoying and dangerous to themselves and others.

    • Windows7forever on 01/10/2022 - 18:24

      Wow. Superb theory. Mind blown.

  • foxpants on 29/09/2022 - 13:08
    +64

    I find it's generally young blokes in lifted 4bies, Rangers, Hilux's, LC's, Patrols etc.

    • pegaxs on 29/09/2022 - 14:35
      +54

      Absolutely this. I can guarantee that if I am being tailgated, it's a penis enlargement/extension jacked up, late 90's shitbox 4x4 complete with red P plates…

    • Rob-4x4 on 30/09/2022 - 08:58
      +7

      Sometimes with higher sitting vehicles like 4x4s they can look to drivers in front like they are tailgating when they are not.

      So when driving vehicles like that you should leave even more room so you do not accidently intimidate drivers you are following. (Good 4x4 training courses cover this )

      • foxpants on 30/09/2022 - 10:02
        +3

        Also I'd wager it's in part because being higher up over the road makes it feel like you're driving slower than a vehicle where you sit much lower to the ground.

    • Dose Pipe Sutututu on 30/09/2022 - 23:09
      +2

      Or fellas in slammed 86/BRZ things that would get toasted at the lights by my wife's SUV.

      • ATangk on 03/10/2022 - 17:48

        Can you even see those things in your rear view though?

        • Dose Pipe Sutututu on 03/10/2022 - 21:14
          +2

          Can see them approaching or hearing their god awful loud non turbo boxer garbage exhaust note.

  • kyle on 29/09/2022 - 13:15
    +12

    Are you sticking to the speed limit even when going around bends?

    I've noticed for whatever reason, the speeds always drop at the bend between Bulleen Rd and Doncaster Rd outbound on the Eastern even with few cars around. Peeps, maintain your speed!

    • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 13:18
      +3

      That area of the eastern will get you. 100 and many are doing 60 around that bend. Chaos!

      • kyle on 29/09/2022 - 13:19

        Yeah, why oh why? What's their problem?

        • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 13:24
          +1

          Keeping tradition alive.
          For as long as I have been driving on that road, it has always been like that.
          15 years later 😂.

          • RDY4ME on 29/09/2022 - 14:01
            +2

            @iNeed2Pee: Same just before Springvale Road exit as well

            • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 14:08
              +1

              @RDY4ME: Yeah and they added an extra lane….but only between 4.30 and 7.30pm.

              That is a dangerous stretch, you have people realising they do not want to pay a toll so will swing into left.

            • stumo on 30/09/2022 - 11:52
              +1

              @RDY4ME: This. Then once everyone behind them is at 60kph, they race up the hill like its a Pikes Peak hillclimb or something,

    • skidexa on 30/09/2022 - 13:38
      +5

      Maintain speed limit on bends? So don't drive to conditions then?

      • netjock on 30/09/2022 - 14:42
        +2

        In this country driving fast is a skill. Flooring V6 and V8s are also a skill.

      • kyle on 30/09/2022 - 15:50
        +4

        Road is dry, weather is good, road is designed for 100, modern cars can handle it, what's the problem?

        • oO0Dam0Oo on 30/09/2022 - 17:32
          +10

          As someone who has worked pre hospital I can assure you your brain is still made up of the same matter. High speed crash = squish squish = Bad.

          • kyle on 30/09/2022 - 17:48
            -2

            @oO0Dam0Oo: Suddenly decelerating on a bend invites someone to hit you from behind

            • skidexa on 30/09/2022 - 17:55
              +14

              @kyle: Well if they left an appropriate gap then it should be avoidable. But i guess people like to tailgate others

            • oO0Dam0Oo on 30/09/2022 - 18:55
              +2

              @kyle: And the fallen tree around the bend, the kangaroo coming out of no where? You absolutely need to expect the unexpected.

          • lonewolf on 01/10/2022 - 00:47
            +1

            @oO0Dam0Oo: People not driving to the speed limit, makes everyone else around them serve, overtake, try to get around them etc and hence actually cause more accidents, only difference is they arent involved in it ….But they still caused it.

            • Gravy on 03/10/2022 - 09:42

              @lonewolf: You are confusing “factor” with “cause”. With this way of thinking, a red light would always be the cause of an accident when someone chooses to ignore it.

              • lonewolf on 03/10/2022 - 10:50

                @Gravy: Nope, I was right the first time around. Seen it happen enough times in front of me to see what happened.

        • SlartiBartFozz on 30/09/2022 - 19:46

          Vision around sharp bends is less developed in humans, for now. One day when AI's are augmenting our brains / operating our cars this won't be an issue.

      • soaringphoenix on 30/09/2022 - 17:25
        +1

        What rubbish.

        Even a shitty FWD corolla can handle every bend in the country at the speed limit.

        It's not conditions, it's poor driver confidence and skill.

        • oO0Dam0Oo on 30/09/2022 - 17:35
          +1

          Even so you need to allow for the unexpected.

        • BluebirdV on 30/09/2022 - 17:53

          Well you need to allow for those people with poor confidence and driving skills. Some people don't have a second to live. It's not a race.

          • bobwokeup on 30/09/2022 - 17:56

            @BluebirdV: The problem is that most don’t even have the confidence (skill usually comes with time if you don’t have it naturally, like me haha) and that’s dangerous.

        • hydration station on 30/09/2022 - 19:49
          +2

          There are many roads in rural areas with the default 100km/h limit, where there are bends that you definitely cannot go 100km/h in any road car

    • jumpypotato53 on 30/09/2022 - 18:32
      -6

      Remember it is a speed LIMIT not a target. Thank you

      • bobbified on 30/09/2022 - 19:01
        +4

        I remember about 20 years ago when I was learning, we were told that the speed limit IS a target. On a nice and clear day, we should be aiming to drive at the speed limit (unless there's actual hazards). And it seems like they have set the speed limits based on that mindset too.

      • SlartiBartFozz on 30/09/2022 - 19:53
        +5

        Road speeds are a conservative limit based on the 98th percentile of cars road control, average estimated driver ability, and typical weather conditions at night, without (the addition of any intoxicating substance or sleep deprivation / young or elderly / subpar vision / etc). If all drivers were first class and well trained, most roads would be very safe for a current model vehicle under good conditions, at significantly higher speeds.
        Different road authorities interpret the data differently, for example the same road in Tasmania or Northern Territory at 130kmh, would be 100kmh in Victoria, but the vehicles and typical driver skills are the same.

    • cloudy on 01/10/2022 - 22:07

      I've noticed for whatever reason, the speeds always drop at the bend between Bulleen Rd and Doncaster Rd outbound on the Eastern even with few cars around. Peeps, maintain your speed!

      ive notiecd this too, which is why i always drop my speeds, or else i'll crash into slowing cars.

    • berry580 on 03/10/2022 - 00:44

      Peeps should drive at a safe speed, period.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 29/09/2022 - 13:17
    +7

    You're exhibiting confirmation bias.

    You were probably tailgated by a few BMW X series in a row, which made your brain remember/focus on them more than the other cars that are doing it. It's like when you buy a car, you see that car all over the place.

    Having said that, there are definitely stereotypes when it comes to drivers, for example stay clear of any UTE with a P plate on it. Guaranteed to have zero driving skill but drive like they are a formula one racer.

    • netjock on 30/09/2022 - 14:43
      +2

      You were probably tailgated by a few BMW X series in a row

      ASIO or Chinese Intelligence must be onto OP.

    • Alias2000 on 01/10/2022 - 12:52

      Very true. I never noticed as many Subaru Outbacks and Mazda SUVs on the road until we started looking at them

    • nigel deborah on 02/10/2022 - 19:39

      The X series and all Jeeps are also terribly ugly. Stick out like a sore thumb. Easy to remember.

  • ForkSnorter on 29/09/2022 - 13:18
    +35

    It's not you that they're tailgating. This is just the default way that idiots drive in Australia. They think it's normal. Instead of sticking to the speed limit or using cruise control, they just drive up to the car in front of them and remain 2 metres behind them. If the car in front of them feels intimated and changes lanes, they speed up until they reach the next car, and remain 2m behind them.

    It's dangerous, stupid, illegal, lazy, rude.

    It's like those people who think that you're supposed to turn your indicator on when you're turning left or right. Nope. What's the point of that? Other drivers can see that you're turning left or right. You're supposed to indicate several seconds BEFORE you turn left or right, so that other drivers can safely plan what they're going to do.

    • Caped Baldy on 29/09/2022 - 15:44
      +4

      I've noticed that it's to limit people doing shitty merges. Also why those people indicate for 0.1 seconds.

      While I'm on my soapbox, I hardly see people wave these days. Either half assed or they wave before they've completed the merge so their arm is obscured.

      • netjock on 30/09/2022 - 14:48
        +2

        I've noticed that it's to limit people doing shitty merges

        It is like accelerating when people overtake. To avoid bad overtaking. (Joke).

        On a serious note. I doubt these people are very good judge of driving. Just their own opinion. To keep a constant flow of traffic and stop hard accelerating / braking is actually best for traffic and fuel efficiency.

        How many times have you seen those people who are cutting, weaving and accelerating hard wait for you at the next set of red lights.

    • jumpypotato53 on 30/09/2022 - 18:38
      +1

      I really would like to know why they drive like this here, I can't understand.

  • bobbified on 29/09/2022 - 13:19
    +27

    When I am driving around town in my OzBargain approved Toyota

    I guess I'm the opposite - tailgating is an accident waiting to happen. Whenever I see a Toyota Camry in front of me, I take whatever opportunity I have to go around them (safely, of course!). Staying behind them is the quickest way to get stuck at the next set of lights.

    • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 13:20
      +3

      How dare you 😂

      • bobbified on 29/09/2022 - 13:26
        +6

        It's probably because I'm in the CBD where there's stacks of uber drivers in Camrys. They randomly stop or slow down to a crawl for no reason. Coming to the lights, instead of maintaining their current speed when it's green, they'll slow down. It's like they want to stop at the lights. Frustrates the crap out of me! lol

        • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 13:29

          Have I mislead readers, My car is a Toyota Sportivo Aurion. I just assumed any Toyota is approved by us.

          I get what you mean, plus the added pressure of it being 40km/hr, trying to figure out if that intersection has a speed camera, as well as watching the morons "trying" to do a hook turn. I completely understand. At least with Taxis, you could foresee the stoppages, but with plain Jane Toyotas you would have no idea.

          • bobbified on 29/09/2022 - 13:33
            +2

            @iNeed2Pee: oh, did I tell you that I don't like driving behind Aurions either? 😁 jks!

            But you're right - I didn't like driving behind taxis before for that reason. Now I just try and avoid anything that remotely resembles an uber. haha

          • BartholemewH on 03/10/2022 - 19:24

            @iNeed2Pee: Aurion V6 Camry.

        • kyle on 29/09/2022 - 14:39
          +1

          Exactly! It's like they are anticipating the light to turn red!

        • nobro25 on 30/09/2022 - 13:48

          The worse offenders are the ones that slow down when coming to a green light. But then Speed up when coming to a stop to a red light so they end up breaking really hard.

          When I'm driving behind them I just laugh. Because I cruise to a red light and by the time I get there it's green and I gain the speed advantage to over take them.

          • Miss B on 30/09/2022 - 20:41

            @nobro25: The actual worst are the ones that don't pay attention when the arrow goes green, then by the time they turn the arrow is red and only they get through.

    • jumpypotato53 on 30/09/2022 - 18:39

      They will hit you from behind

      • bobbified on 30/09/2022 - 18:57

        At the speed they travel at, there probably won't be any damage 😆

    • Ricky Jones on 29/09/2022 - 13:54
      +28

      Might be because people driving a Jeep or BMW have places to be and things to do as a matter of urgency given that these are expensive cars.

      They're on their way to their mechanic to get more repairs done before their car breaks down again.

      • SlavOz on 29/09/2022 - 17:54
        -1

        What's the point of leaving home early if they're stuck in the same traffic jam as me every morning 😂

    • JIMB0 on 29/09/2022 - 17:44
      +1

      Perhaps the average aussie leave's home early so they don't have to rush.

    • mlburnian on 29/09/2022 - 23:05
      +5

      Didn't realise jeep was now a premium brand

      • afah0447 on 30/09/2022 - 07:56
        +6

        It isn't. They are notoriously poorly manufactured and use cheap materials. They just spend a ton on slick marketing to cover it up.

    • Miss B on 30/09/2022 - 20:44

      My employer doesn’t care as long as I get my work done. I tend to start around 8 though. I don't run any seminars because it's too much work.

  • Davo1111 on 29/09/2022 - 13:39
    +3

    confirmation bias

  • SF3 on 29/09/2022 - 14:03

    Baader–Meinhof phenomenon.

    • Mechz on 29/09/2022 - 15:29

      Occam's Razor

  • Richmond Tigers on 29/09/2022 - 14:09
    +12

    Assume they are tradies, all tradies are shit drivers.

  • AndyC1 on 29/09/2022 - 14:11
    +1

    You said "I always stick to my speed limit as well.", is your speed limit below the official sign posted speed limit or at the speed limit? Do you know how far off your speed gauge is?

    • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 14:15
      -1

      If it is 60. I do 60.
      If it is 80. I do 80.
      My speedo is accurate.

      • djsweet on 29/09/2022 - 14:22
        +1

        But what if you need to use the facilities in a hurry?

      • AndyC1 on 29/09/2022 - 14:45
        +7

        How did you calibrate your spedo to be 100% accurate?

      • Mechz on 29/09/2022 - 15:31
        +2

        Do 3 over and you probably won't have the issue anymore mostly.

        • iNeed2Pee on 29/09/2022 - 16:03

          Then I am breaking the law.

          • Mechz on 29/09/2022 - 19:15

            @iNeed2Pee: Yes but only by 1kmh as they deduct 2kmh for error on all speed detection devices.

            • macfudd on 29/09/2022 - 22:49

              @Mechz: If I'm getting a fine for speeding I want to be 11 over and rounded down to 9. Not 3 over and rounded down to 1. I'm paying the same amount either way.

              • Mechz on 29/09/2022 - 22:54

                @macfudd: You won't ever get a fine for 1 over.

                • macfudd on 29/09/2022 - 23:11

                  @Mechz: Odds are against it sure.

                  My one and only speeding fine was for doing 61 in NZ in a 50 zone while on holiday. At the time they had a 10km leeway and everyone drove at 60 so I was kinda only 1 over.

                  • Chandler on 01/10/2022 - 19:48

                    @macfudd:

                    At the time they had a 10km leeway and everyone drove at 60 so I was kinda only 1 over.

                    No, you were 11 over the limit and 1 over the enforcement threshold.

      • BAM51102 on 02/10/2022 - 14:17

        your speedo is not accurate. check with your GPS on a phone. at 80km/h on your speedo, you are doing 77-78 km/h

        • iNeed2Pee on 02/10/2022 - 14:19
          +1

          I checked yesterday. Speedo 80, gps 78 but more 79.

          Regardless, that 1-2km differential does not mean a tailgater should be doing that they are doing.

          • nigel deborah on 02/10/2022 - 19:45

            @iNeed2Pee: No excuse for tailgating. The answer is not for everyone to drive faster. Some people in this thread are so concerned about arriving at their destination seconds earlier that they'd risk an accident by tailgating.

            I agree with you. Follow the limit and leave a safe distance.

    • Stopback on 29/09/2022 - 14:32

      Remeber to wipe off five.

      And another five for the environment

      • AndyC1 on 29/09/2022 - 14:48
        +2

        My spedo is between 3 and 4% below the shown value. Calibrated at a 50KM council speed sign in the next suburb and also at road works speed signs that show your actual speed. They all show 3 to 4% slower speeds.

  • pegaxs on 29/09/2022 - 14:31
    +2

    You forgot Ranger, Triton, Hilux and Navara drivers on your list…

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